Littleton pediatrician known for tie-dye, tenderness is retiring

LITTLETON — After 24 years of caring for the North Country’s children, Dr. William Lakey has retired, causing many who know him to feel as if they’ve lost a local treasure.

“He was always available,” said Linda Culver, a registered nurse who worked with Lakey for 23 years. She described him as a pediatrician devoted to his patients and their parents.

“If a parent had a sick child, he always said, ‘Don’t worry, tell them to come in.’ He was also known to come in on Saturday or Sunday, if one of his patients was not well. And, of course, parents deeply appreciated being able to see Dr. Lakey,” Culver said.

Lakey practiced at Littleton Regional Hospital, which, according to a hospital spokesman Monday, has been renamed Littleton Regional Healthcare.

Known in the Littleton area as a fan of colorful clothing in general and tie-dyed apparel in particular, Lakey grew up in Michigan, the oldest of three siblings.

His Kalamazoo College studies included math and music. He also earned a forestry degree at Michigan State University.

He became a licensed practical nurse in Michigan and decided to become a doctor. He earned his medical degree at Wayne State University in Detroit.

Lackey completed a year of family practice residency in Augusta, Maine, before deciding he was most interested in pediatrics medicine.

After a three-year residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, he began a pediatrics practice at Kid’s Creek Children’s Clinic in Traverse City, Mich. From there, Lakey and his wife, Holly, and their three young daughters moved to Littleton in 1989 where he began his career at Littleton Regional Hospital. Dr. Tim Williams joined the practice eight years later.

Koren Superchi is an LRH registered nurse and mother of two children who have been Lakey’s patients since birth.

“Dr. Lakey will be missed by so many children and parents. He had a soothing nature and always enjoyed his patients. There has never been a time when my kids did not want to go see Dr. Lakey. They loved his tie-dyed shirts, crazy ties and gentle nature. We wish him well on a wonderful retirement,” Superchi said.

Lakey shuns the spotlight, according to those who know him, and was not available to be interviewed. He told friends his retirement plans include reading, playing piano, studying neuroscience and traveling.